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Explore the latest news and features by our world-class aviation journalists. Stay up to date on the latest military aviation developments, commercial airline news, historic restoration projects, flight simulation releases and much more.
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Historic
The remarkable place where Rolls-Royce developed the mighty Merlin
In the first of a two-part feature, heritage photographer and curator Nigel Gibson describes the early days of Hucknall’s Flight Test Establishment, its vital relationship with Rolls-Royce and the role of his grandfather, Ted Gibson
The origins of the Mission Aviation Fellowship
Wartime inspired an alternative form of service, birthing Mission Aviation Fellowship – now more than 75 years old. Robin Evans and Darren Harbar explain all
Navy Wings stops Sea Vixen work and starts new project
Trustees of Yeovilton-based Navy Wings have decided to cease restoration work on Sea Vixen FAW2 XP924.
The dramatic role of RAF Hurricanes in the Battle of El Alamein
This year marks the 80th anniversary of World War Two’s pivotal Battle of El Alamein in North Africa. Andrew Thomas reflects on the dramatic role played by Hawker Hurricane ‘tank busters’ from the RAF’s 6 Squadron
Twin Pioneer Demo Tours
When Scottish Aviation sent its new Twin Pioneer on demonstration tours, it really put the aircraft through its paces
By David Dorman
Military
AFSOC becomes latest MQ-9B SkyGuardian customer
General Atomics Aeronautical Systems Inc announced on March 6 that it will provide three MQ-9B SkyGuardian RPAS to US Air Force Special Operations Command, making it the first US customer to acquire the type
RAF Hawk T2s to fly rare weekend sorties
RAF Valley has recently announced there will be Hawk T2 sorties flown on a number of Saturdays
USAF orders first E-7A AEW&C aircraft from Boeing
Having selected Boeing’s E-7A to replace its ageing fleet of E-3 Sentry airborne warning and control system aircraft last year, the USAF has awarded the US-based aircraft manufacturing giant a contract to begin working on the first two aircraft using a rapid prototyping acquisition pathway
Commercial
NBAA show – 1964 style
The annual NBAA business aircraft show has grown into a massive event mirroring the growth of the sector. We open a ‘time capsule’ of an article from the archives covering the 1964 event, which was featured in the November 19, 1964 issue of ‘The Aeroplane and Commercial Aviation News’
Why Victorville is more than just an aircraft boneyard
Chris Sloan travels to California to learn why this quirky desert facility is far more than an aviation retirement home
FAA halts FedEx DIRCM plans
The US FAA has halted FedEx Express' plans to protect its aircraft against heat-seaking missiles
Kazakhstan violence: how has aviation been impacted?
Key.Aero has the latest on the state of commercial aviation within the Central Asian country after all scheduled services were suspended earlier in the month.
How do airport IATA codes work?
We all know what’s in a name, but codes attached to hubs and gateways worldwide can have more peculiar origins. Tom Batchelor demonstrates the method in IATA’s madness in the first of a fascinating new series
Flight Simulation
CowanSim 206 B3 for X-Plane Out Now
X-Plane developer, CowanSim has released the 206 B3 for X-Plane 11.
Mega Airport Ben Gurion Released
Aerosoft has announced Mega Airport Ben Gurion for Microsoft Flight Simulator is now availa
Asobo’s Junkers Ju 52
As the availability of new scenery and aircraft add-ons for Microsoft Flight Simulator via its Marketplace continues to accelerate, we take the opportunity to review an Asobo release of a historic classic of the 1930s, the Junkers Ju 52.